Veteran sports writer Jim Utter covers NASCAR for The Charlotte Observer and its racing site, ThatsRacin.com. In this space, Jim writes about all things NASCAR and other forms of racing which may also be relevant ... or not.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Crew member indefinitely suspended by NASCAR; loses job

John Smeltzer, an employee of Hendrick Motorsports who worked most recently as the engine tuner for JR Motorsports' No. 7 team, was indefinitely suspended on Tuesday from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s Substance Abuse Policy.

The violation occurred on Oct. 4.

Hendrick Motorsports released the following statement:

"Our organization respects and fully supports NASCAR’s policies with regard to banned substances. The individual in question is no longer employed by the company."